Hi, I'd like to welcome everybody to the Baldwin County Board of Education meeting this
evening. Um We'd like to open it up with prayer. Mr Myrick, will
you say the prayer for us
and I personnel? We said that you will continue
to people say, watch over us. We pray for that protected on war.
We just ask that and we have so many things happening across the world
and in our country, we just ask that you calm spirit to come
over to Florida. We always just feel able to go on. We
just ask for that. You can give us where we stand
and at uh you'll be with us, the Lord of everything we do and say
to you, please. No, you in Christ's name. We ask, are there if
you'll stand for the pledge,
that's what we do of the United States of America
and is in the Republic for which it stands on a nation
under God and individuals with liberty and justice
for all.
I believe we have a commendation tonight.
Credit board. You may
remember last board meeting, we honored three schools uh
who were given a program of distinction. We have now been notified
that we have one more school. So this evening, we are recognizing
Roberts Elementary, the Alabama School counseling program of
distinction recognizes school counseling programs that demonstrate an ex
exemplary level of implementation of a comprehensive
data driven school counseling program. The application
process is an all inclusive collection of 15 components that
align with the comprehensive counseling and guidance model
for Alabama public schools and the American School Counselor
Association National Model Schools who earn the program of
distinction designation will be eligible for a ramp award which is
awarded by the A SC A as the highest national
recognition for a school counseling program. There are two
counselors with the Roberts Elementary Program and that is Shannon Rubio and
Serena Forest. We also have Principal Will Duncan here
tonight.
Put the GS on, OK. I'm gonna take a quick
picture of what. OK, sure. They'll get right up there in the front.
I I'll just say um I, I just want to thank the board for all their
support for what we do. Um uh My counseling team
um is invaluable to me and to the students um to make
sure we're meeting their needs, not just educationally but as people and helping them grow into
the citizens that we want them to be. So I appreciate your support and I want to publicly
thank uh mm Forest and Miss Rubio for all that they do to
help our students. So thank you
that, yeah.
You ready? 123,
123. Thank you. All. Thank you and
congratulations.
All right, we need to approve the minutes from September 21st,
2023. Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes? I move to
approve the minutes from September the 21st meeting.
Second motion by Mr Christenberry second by
Mr Johnson. Any discussion about the minutes all in
favor of approving the minutes, say I opposed
and are approved, ok. We do have a few people that signed up
to speak. Um Before you come up, just remember if
there's a three minute limit and if it's in
concern with a personnel person or somebody that works with us, if you
would not say their name because they're probably not here to defend themselves.
Otherwise we'd love to hear from you. Um So our first
person is and if I pronounce mispronounce your name, I'm so sorry,
Thone Young, if you'll come forward and
if you'll tell us where you're from.
Yes. My name is Thurman Young. I live at
707 South Dobson Avenue in Bayonet. I
was a graduate of Douglasville High School
and I went on to, as a matter of fact, I am a retired
educator, 42 years with the Syracuse City
school district in Syracuse New York. So
as I come back to my community and we've
been involved with certain an organ with organization
and we want to, first of all, thank the superintendent and the board
for all they've done. Excuse me, with the, uh,
rep. I think the school is in coming in Locksley.
So, uh Baldwin prep. Thank you.
Very, very good. I want to thank you for that. I think this
is going to be a game changer for the kids coming up and
trying to get the workforce that Baldwin County needs.
Now, we do have one concern we'd like to address with you if it's
ok. The concern is for the campus that is already
located in uh very minute.
We would like to, we're trying to find out what are the plans for it.
And if you already have the plans, would you share them? So any
information that the community is looking for, we may be able to disseminate that
in a correct way and kill all the
rumors. And if it's not already
decided, we were asking to have a seat at the
table to work with you about what you're gonna do with it.
Now, this organization that I've joined is called a Men of Coalition.
It's a nonprofit organization we just took, I
think 30 kids to South Alabama on Tuesday
night for a football game. We pay for all the, all the
expenses and have them transported there. What we're doing is trying
to work with these young people in the community to give
them skills so that they will be able to become productive
citizens, even if it's outside of this community.
Hopefully some will do as I did come back and try to get
involved with the community and try to make changes,
anything that you can do to help
us in, in, in getting us involved with what the campus
that's gonna, I don't know what's gonna happen with it, but that's what we're
asking for. We're trying to get information so that we would be
able to see what we can do to make this a
better and a smoother transition. Thank you.
Well, I, I'll go ahead and just speak to that real quick. I do, I do know that and
thank you for your kind words. Uh, and, uh, 42 years in
education, that's, that's pretty stellar because,
you know, I, I, I'm, I'm 48 so I don't know, I, I missed that 42
mark. But, uh, uh, a lot of times when we
vacate a facility we might discuss with the board,
what we plan on doing with it. You're talking about the North Bow and Center for Technology,
I'm assuming. Um, of course, a lot of
times if we can find a use for it educationally
or in some manner that services what we're already
doing with, with some of our personnel, we try to do
that. Sometimes things are in such bad shape. We might just
take it down and keep the property or see we want to do.
I know that, uh, that we won't be
housing technology there when the ball and prep opens.
Uh, but I, I'll be honest with you, we're not sure really what we're
gonna do with that. We hadn't got that far down the road because we got a South
technology center too and, uh,
we, uh, we're just not sure what we're gonna do, but I do appreciate
you sharing your, your thoughts. I know a lot of times as far
as going to the community and, and asking them what they
would like to do with the building first, you know, we have to decide what we want to
do with it and then if it's something that maybe we can get the community involved,
we do that. Well, we certainly would appreciate anything that you
could do to involve us. Thank you when you make that decision. Thank you. We
appreciate the matter. You came and asked. Thank you, sir. Have a good evening.
The Men of Coal Men of the Coalition. I'm, I'm gonna leave a
card with someone in case they need to get in touch with us. We'd be
more than happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Thank
you. Um Our next person was Rebecca
Watson.
Let us know where you're from. Hi, I'm from Fair Hope and I live at
124 Fig Avenue. Um I'm here
today to talk to you about the counseling guidance plan. I
um am a mom here. I have a one child in the public school and I have one
child in a private school. And so for my daughter who's in
public school, I, um, we moved here a few years ago from
Washington State. So I've spent a lot of time researching
curriculum and the guidance plan mostly because of
what we had to, why we moved here.
And, um, I just noticed some things in here that I wanted to
kind of clarify and I first want to say that
I do. Um I love the
public school here. My daughter's at Farro high school, the teachers are
amazing. The principal is amazing. And um
and I'm very happy that she's there.
And um and Mr Tyler, I've read a few articles
about you saying that, that we don't have a
gender identity or gender affirmation policy. But
when I look through the Comprehensive Counseling Program, it
completely contradicts what you're saying. And so
as a parent, I'm very confused. Um I am too.
You are too. OK. Good. OK. So how do we,
because when I go through this, um it's mentioned
many, many times in this guidance program. And so
how do we as a Baldwin County, um
Baldwin County, if we're taking our direction from the American Counseling
Association, the Alabama Counseling Association? And it
trickles down to us, how do we have a different policy
than they have? How can we do that? Well, and
I'd be glad for uh uh Renee Carter who is
with elementary and Joe Sharp the secondary. And also Sarah Young,
we don't necessarily align with the National Organization. That's not
something that we uh there were some things that were printed
uh that we discovered uh last spring, last summer uh
that were not something that wasn't approved. And so
we have worked on that and I'll let Miss Young, who is our counselor
kind of address that if you'd like maybe a further explanation because as far as
if, if we're allowing people to have that gender
identification, I'm not allowing it under my watch.
If that, you know what you were saying? Yes, but like what I'm reading through
this, it says that if, if the counselors don't do it, they
could be fired from their jobs like they are mandated to do it.
So, I mean, I'm not just here to, to I'm, I'm, I'm,
I'm like speaking on behalf of the teachers and the because
once the counselors get, get mandated, then it will go to the teachers and then it
will go to the students. So, as a community, how do we,
how do we unify and we all work together to make sure that
this doesn't happen. Board members. The
book does not mandate. Um First of all, it was from 2022
2023. And the last, the last
few pages of the book um reference the American
Counseling Association Ethical Guidelines. And that's the only
section that referenced gender identity. Um It was
pulled when we were made aware of it in January. Um it was
pulled, it was in the book as a reference. There's nothing in there
mandating that counselors take gender identity into account.
Um All of our counselors have been instructed on Alabama law
and I believe that they comply with it. So
well, I don't agree with that and I'd be happy to um
I mean, I'm over my time limit. I don't wanna take up more time. But
um there are, there is, I
mean, it's mentioned in here 26 times. Gender is mentioned
in here 26 times. And if there's another document, I
would love to see it. Is there another one that's up? I mean, do we not
update this every year? Where is it? Because maybe it's different
board members. We if you recall Patrice Davis retired on July
31st and the new um counselor who's gonna be in
charge of the counseling supervisor working under Mr mccrae started, she's actually
on this board agenda. Um So she's been working on the handbook and
again, it's mentioned in the back of the book 23
times as part of the American Counseling Association Ethical
Guidelines. So the new, the new edition
has not come out yet. 23 24.
Ok. So when, when do we expect to see that, I guess or does that just take
time? It takes time? Yeah. Ok. I can assure you
this. No counsel is going to be fired under my watch
for, for because like she said, we go by Alabama law
and we go by the gender identification that you
were born under. So then how did it even get from the
American Counseling Association to the Alabama Counseling Association down to
Baldwin County? How does it even get, how does it get into Alabama? That's a state
level mandate? That's a state level mandate. And it's based on the
Alabama Counselors Association that those are the ethical
guidelines that they use to guide them. That's how it got in
the book. So I'm saying mandated and you're saying that's not,
that's, it's not a mandate. It's a suggestion.
Is that what it is that? Ok, well, those are two
very different words that means two completely
different things. So as a parent, I'm just trying to understand because it's never
mandated anything we follow Alabama law.
Ok. OK. And the, and the new edition will be out
soon. The lady hopefully will be approved tonight. Uh
And all of these things will be put together and be sent out to counselors
uh and for people to have access to. But I do appreciate you
bringing that to our attention because there's been a lot of
social media out there about what we are supposedly supporting
and that's old data, but yet we get kind of nailed to the
cross because everybody doesn't have all their facts. And so
I appreciate you coming and asking because it's get, it does get
confusing and as parents like we're inundated with information in all
these different areas and so we don't know where to look where to turn
and turning to us. I appreciate that trusting social
media. No. Yes. Well, well, yeah, and I don't do that
but I, but I will look forward to reading the new.
Thank you so much. Thank you
Charles Beer. Come.
Mm. I own a home at uh 1
14 Echo Lane in Fair Hope. Uh uh All three
of my Children graduated from Fair Hope high school. Uh and I do
share MS Watson's concern and I also thank
you for agreeing that uh we will not
follow the route of the American Counseling
Association in affirming uh
children's mistaken gender identity.
Uh I would appreciate it if you would let us
know when the uh new counseling guidelines
are ready so we can review them then, right?
Usually chairs, we put those up on our website. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. Well, if you would let us know so we, you know, trust but
verify, we appreciate you to quote President Reagan.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
All right. Uh Do we have any amendments to the agenda?
Yes, ma'am, Miss Lindsay, amendments to the agenda. Delete number
five amended personnel Professional agreement.
Amend number 10, leave of absence of personnel. Number 11,
retirement and resignation of personnel. Number 12, transfer
intent to transfer of personnel. Number 13 employment of
personnel. A number 15 suspension of personnel
unpaid, number 16, termination of personnel.
Number 17 teams contracts. Number 18, approval of
2024 2025 school calendar.
Do I hear a motion?
I hear a motion to approve the amendments
motion by Mr Johnson second by Mr Christenberry. Any discussion about the
amendments all in favor say I opposed.
Ok, amendments accepted agenda item one bids
proposals. The superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to approve the low
bidders meeting specifications for goods and services for the system as
stipulated in the agenda. Exhibit
summer a motion by Mr
Johnson second by MS Bradley. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion
carries just for the audience to say all of these agenda
items are discussed on a Tuesday night work session. That's why we don't entertain
any speakers on Tuesday night because it can get rather lengthy.
Uh and then Thursday night, unless the board has follow
up questions we read through the agenda for their approval or disapproval.
Agenda. Item two public works superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to
approve the low bidder meeting specifications for the public works. Bid is
stipulated in the agenda. Exhibit
motion by Mr Christenberry second by Mr Johnson. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion carries
agenda item three approval of contract.
The superintendent recommends the adoption of a motion to prove the extension of
contractual services with engineered cooling services
for an additional year by entering into an agreement in a form similar to the
attached as stipulated in the agenda exhibit.
So got it. Motion by Mr Bradley
second by Mr Marrick. Any discussion all in
favor say I opposed motion carries
item four approval of contracts. Coastal
makers LLC superintendent recommends the adoption of a
motion to approve the contracts with coastal makers LLC
to be paid from after school childcare funds as stipulated in
the agenda. Exhibit
motion by MS Kirby second by Mr Johnson. Any discussion?
Ok. All in favor say I
opposed motion carries thank you sir. Item
six transfer of guaranteed contribution and use agreement with the
city of Bayonet. Superintendent recommends a do of a motion to
authorize the superintendent to enter into the transfer of
guaranteed contribution and use agreement in a form
substantially similar to the attached in an amount of
215,000 with the city of Bayonet is stipulated in the agenda.
Exhibit motion by Mr Johnson
second by Mr Christenberry. Any discussion all in favor
say I opposed motion carries
seven a approval of letter of engagement. Adams and Reese L
LP. The superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to authorize the
superintendent and general counsel to execute the letter of agreement
engagement with Adam and Reese Reese L LP as stipulated in the agenda.
Exhibit motion by Mr
Christenberry second by MS Bradley. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed
motion carries 98 memorandum of
agreement between the Baldwin County Board of Education and Baldwin County Juvenile Detention
Center. The superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to authorize and
direct the superintendent or his designee to execute and
deliver the 2023 2024 memorandum of agreement
between the Baldwin County Board of Education and the Baldwin County Juvenile Detention
Center in a form similar to the attached as stipulated in the agenda. Exhibit
motion by MS Kirby second by Mr Johnson. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed
motion carries item nine A ASB 2023 State
Convention and Delegate Assembly. The superintendent recommends adoption of a
motion to approve the selection of five plus one alternate
to represent the board as voting delegates at the A ASB
2023 Convention and Delicate Assembly as stipulated in the
agenda exhibit oh
motion by Mr Christenberry second by Mr Johnson. Any discussion
all in favor say I post motion carries
item 10 leave of absence of personnel. Superintendent
recommends the adoption of a motion to approve the leave of absence of personnel as
amended and provided to board members under separate cover
motion by MS Bradley second by Mister Johnson.
Any discussion all in favor say I
opposed motion carries item 11 retirement
and resignation of personnel. The superintendent recommends adoption of a motion
to approve the retirement and resignation of personnel as amended and
provided to board members under separate cover
motion by Mister Johnson second by Mister Myrick. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion
carries item 12 transfer intent to transfer
personnel. Superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to approve the
transfer intent to transfer personnel as amended and provided to
board members under separate cover.
Motion by Mister Myrick second by Mister Johnson. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion
carries item 13. Employment of personnel superintendent
recommends adoption of a motion to approve the employment of personnel is amended and
provided to board members under separate cover
motion by Mr Myrick second by MS Kirby. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed the motion carries
agenda item 14 extra work for extended periods. Superintendent
recommends the adoption of a motion to approve the extra work of personnel as
provided to board members under separate cover
motion by Mr Johnson. Second by Mr Myrick. Any
discussion all in favor say I opposed
motion carries item 15 suspension of personnel.
Unpaid superintendent recommends adoption of a motion to approve
the unpaid suspension of personnel is provided to board members under separate cover
motion by Mr Ma second by Mr Johnson. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion carries
item 16 termination of personnel. The superintendent recommends adoption
of a motion to approve the termination of classified personnel in
accordance with act number 2011-2 70 students.
First act is provided to board members under separate cover
motion by Mr Christenberry second by Mr Marrick. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion carries
item 17 teams contracts. Superintendent recommends adoption of a
motion to prove the team's teachers contracts and
contract terms as listed and to authorize the superintendent to take all
necessary action in furtherance thereof as provided to board members under
separate cover I
motion by Mr Myrick second by MS Kirby. Any discussion
all in favor say I opposed motion carries
item 18 approval of 2024 2025 school
calendar. I'm sure parents are waiting on this. The superintendent
recommends the adoption of a motion to approve option B as a
2024 2025 school calendar based on the voting
results from local schools and organizations as stipulated in the agenda.
Exhibit.
OK. Motion by Miss Kirby I OK. Motion by
MS Bradley second by MS Kirby. Any discussion all in favor
say A A opposed motion carries. I was kind of hoping for
c but anyway,
agenda item 19, consideration of releases. This item is
placed on the agenda to provide the board an opportunity for consideration of
releases. I move that as requested by the
Alabama Attorney General's office and the Alabama Department of Education that we
authorize the superintendent and board president to
execute the legal leases in a form substantially
similar to those releases provided to board members under separate
cover. I make such motion in light of the fact
that it is the board's understanding that it was never a
named party in the lawsuit subject to the releases
and that the board is not receiving any value or monetary
consideration in exchange for entering into
said releases.
Motion by Mr I move that as
requested by the motion by Mr
Christenberry second by MS Kirby, any discussion
all in favor, say I oppose motion
carries one thing. That's all I have Miss Lindsay, but I do want to say to
those who come and speak, I mean, it was refreshing
to listen to people that want to address the board
that don't have some personal animosity or anger built
up inside of them. I mean, these folks work awful hard.
They represent you and the Children in Baldwin County. And we're always
going to try to make the best conscientious decision for everyone
involved. That's why this county is so overrun
because people do their research and want to come here for a quality
education and thank you for, for sharing that uh
many, many stories. But I just want to say to those three, thank you for the
man that you come and address the board. It's much appreciated. Certainly,
Mr I wanna say thank you for coming. I mean, it's good to look out and have a group of people here that,
that's exciting that's participating in this process and it makes,
makes me feel good that we don't have an empty house. Thank y'all for being, for being here is a
long way to baby in it. If you that in the county. But thank you.
Thank you so much for being here tonight. I'm sorry for my long motion,
but I had to do that. That's right. Thank
you. Amen. That's all I have. All right, any more
comments? All right. Do I hear a motion to adjourn?